Miniature relay

ABSTRACT

A miniature relay is formed upon a dual in-line plug adapted to be received by a mating integrating circuit socket. The plug comprises a flat plastic header provided with a pair of spaced parallel bosses between which an actuator slide is moved by a solenoid plunger. Multiple reed contacts extend across the header between rows of connecting pins, and through slots between upstanding posts forming a part of the actuator slide.

[45] Aug.6, 1974 United States Fatent [191 Bain PATENTEDMIE N974 v l 3.828.286

sain a nf 2 46504650 FIG. 5

i :Ty yld MINIATURE RELAY BACKGROUND OF Tl-IE INVENTION The present invention relates to relays and particularly to miniature electromechanical relays.

In miniaturized integrated circuit configurations such as employed for electronic digital circuits, interfacing with mechanical switching contacts is frequently desirable, e.g., for operating peripheral equipment or servomechanism devices. A common type of switching element employed with integrated circuit devices comprises a reed relay including a pair of reed contacts mounted in a small glass envelope upon which an operating coil is wound for causing mutual attraction of the reed contacts. Because of their small size, reed relays are adaptable to the space limitations of the integrated circuit environment and a number of such reed relays can be conveniently mounted on an integrated circuit plug for connection to the circuitry. However, reed relays are comparatively expensive and the power handling capability thereof is limited. Of course, larger electromechanical relays or balanced armature relays can be employed, but usually require special consideration in regard to the space needed and the clearance required above a panel board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a miniature electromechanical relay having a plurality of contacts is accommodated in the space of a small integrated circuit plug of the type adapted for housing integrated circuit semiconductor devices. The relay comprises a flat header formed of insulating material and provided with guide means between which an actuator slide is received. A plurality of fixed and movable contacts are mounted upon connecting pin lugs, with the movable contacts extending across the header through slots located between upstanding narrow posts forming a part of the actuator slide. A motor assembly for operating the relay comprises a solenoid and a plunger attached to the actuator slide for causing longitudinal movement thereof.

According to another feature of the present invention, the solenoid plunger is substantially square in cross section whereby the proper orientation of the actuator slide is more easily maintained, and efficient use is made of the available space for increasing the effectiveness of the magnetic circuit.

It is accordingly an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved miniature relay adapted for utilization in connection with miniaturized integrated circuit apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved miniature relay adapted for utilization in compact apparatus while at the same time having optimized power handling capabilities.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved miniature electromechanical relay of economical design employing a minimum of parts.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective view of a miniature relay according to the present invention with the cover broken away;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same relay with the cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the relay according to the present invention, with the cover thereof being shown partly in cross section;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the relay according to the present invention with the cover partly shown in cross section;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross section of the relay according to the present invention taken at 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the motor assembly of the relay according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the FIG. 6 subassembly;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the relay according to the present invention, said cross section being taken at 8-8 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a coil bobbin for the relay according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrating a miniature relay according to the present invention, said relay includes a miniature dual in-line plug 10 adapted for mating engagement with dual in-line integrated circuit sockets. Such plug is of the type similar to those employed for supporting integrated circuits, or connecting wires, for plugging into an electrical panel board comprising a computer 0r other compact apparatus. The plug l0 is provided with first and second rows of connecting pins l2 and 14, each of which may be formed of phosphor bronze and which are molded into flat plastic header 16 so as to protrude perpendicularly therefrom for reception in a mating socket configuration (not shown). The flat plastic header 16, comprising the major structural element of the relay, is further provided with a pair of spaced parallel guide bosses 18 of substantially rectangular configuration, through which the connecting pins 12, 14 extend in molded relation. The connecting pins l2 and 14 respectively include lugs 20 and 22 formed integrally therewith and extending through the top of bosses 18. In the present relay, relay contacts are soldered or welded to the lugs 20, 22 at the right-hand side of the relay as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. Reed contacts 24 and 28, joined to selected of lugs 22, extend across the relay for making and breaking connection with respective fixed contacts mounted on ones of lugs 20. Each of the reed contacts constitutes a small cantilever mounted beam, suitably formed of silver-magnesium-nickel alloy, and prestresed to provide spring loading against the normally closed contact. Reed contact 26 is thus spring-loaded for normally completing a connection to fixed relay contact 28, and is adapted, when actuated, for breaking connection with fixed contact 28 and making connection with fixed contact 30 mounted upon the next lug 20 in the same row. At the same time, reed contact 24, when actuated, is adapted for making connection with fixed contact 32. A third reed contact 34 is mounted between the other two, being cantilever mounted on a lug and extending oppositely across the header for normally making spring-loaded connection with a fixed contact 36. When actuated, reed contact 34 will break with contact 36 and make with fixed contact 38 supported from the next lug 22 in the same row. The reed contacts are suitably staggered as shown, extending alternately in opposite directions across the header for balancing purposes. The arrangement of make and break contacts here comprising two form C contact arrangements and one form A contact arrangement is by way of example only, and it will be appreciated that various other contact configurations may be assembled.

The reed contacts are actuated `from their normal self-spring-biased position to their operated position by means of an actuator slide 40. The actuator slide 40 desirably comprises a plastic member which is T- shaped in transverse cross section including a slide base 42 and an upstanding narrower central rib 44 provided with a plurality of slots 46 for receiving the aformentioned reed contacts 24, 26 and 34. The slide base 42 is slidably received between bosses 18 for movement in a direction longitudinal of the relay. The slide base 42 is substantially flat on top, except for the aforementioned rib 44, but is thicker at its transverse edges to form a pair of runners 45, the lower edges of which are positioned in a track between bosses I8. The bottom edges of the runners are narrow to slide along the top of the header with minimized friction. The actuator slide is captured by the header guide bosses and the reed contacts, as well as by a retaining member 74 as hereinafter described.

The upstanding central rib 44 consists of a plurality of narrow upstanding posts 50 which are rounded on their facing edges where the aforementioned slots 46 are defined between the posts. Thus, the respective posts 50 engage the reed contacts 24, 34 and 26, in the position shown, over a limited area of tangency in horizontal cross section. Rather than being rounded, the post edges may alternatively be pointed or narrowed to define a narrow edge where the aforementioned reed contacts abut the same. Then, when the slide base moves from the left to right, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, force is evenly applied by the actuator slide near the center of the beam of each of the cantilever mounted reed contacts without binding the same. The reed contacts provide the spring bias for returning the actuator slide to its non-operated, normal position as shown. Actuator slide 40 and header 16 are suitably formed of glass filled nylon.

The relay switching mechanical force is supplied by a motor assembly including a plunger type traction solenoid indicated generally at 52. The solenoid is provided with a core comprising a pole 54, illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, which is substantially square in cross section, the pole having a cylindrical end 56 swedged into an end aperture in U-shaped pole end structure 58. The parallel sides of the U-shaped pole end structure include edge bars 60 for contacting a pair of lugs 20 and a pair of lugs 22. The edge bars 60 are soldered or welded to the last two lugs in each row for holding the motor assembly in position, while the parallel legs of the U-shaped pole end structure rest upon the upper surfaces of the bosses 18. The connecting pins integral with the last mentioned lugs are not normally used for circuit connection purposes.

A square apertured link 62 is welded between the parallel legs of the U-shaped pole end structure, and closes the end of the U. Link 62 has a greater dimension than pole end structure 58 in a direction perpendicular to the header, and is supported upon the header 16, transversely between bosses 18. The square aperture 64 therein, seen more clearly in FIG. 8, is adapted to receive the plunger 66 for movement therewithin toward the pole 54, when the solenoid is actuated. The plunger 66 also has a square cross section, and, to gether with pole 54, optimizes the cross section of the magnetic circuit within the space available for enhancing the pulling power of the solenoid. The motor assembly parts are suitably formed of electric steel, e.g., annealed cold rolled 1010 alloy steel.

The solenoid is provided with a bobbin 68 around which operating coil 70 is wound. The bobbin is substantially square in cross section and encloses a square cross section longitudinal aperture 72 which fairly closely receives both the pole 54 and the plunger 66. The bobbin is suitably formed of Teflon or other suitable material and extends through link 62, providing a bearing surface into which the plunger 66 can easily slide.

One leg of a U-shaped metal retaining member 74 is welded to the end of plunger 66 and the other leg thereof extends through an aperture 75 in head post 76 of actuator slide 40. The retaining member 74 can be adjusted by slightly bending the leg extending through aperture 75 so the relay contacts are operated properly by slide 40 when plunger 66 reaches pole 54. Since the plunger is square in cross section and is received in square aperture 72, while member 74 is received through elongated aperture 75, the actuator slide 40 is inhibited from turning out of its track. Also, a plastic cover 82 is secured over the relay to header 16, and may be closely spaced over actuator slide 40 for further deterring upward movement of the slide.

A coil 70 is wound upon bobbin 68 and has end connections soldered to respective of the lugs 20 and 22 for energizing the relay through selected of connecting pins 10 and 12. When the coil is energized, the slide 40 operates the various reed contacts from right to left, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, against their spring bias, and when the coil is de-energized, the spring bias of the Iieed contacts return the same as well as actuator slide 40 to normal position.

The miniature relay according to the present invention is quite small, typically being half an inch wide by 8/10 of an inch long, by 3/10 of an inch high as measured from the bottom of the header. The relay is directly interfaceable with standard integrated circuit socket connectors of the type widely employed for avoiding soldering of circuit subassemblies. Thus, the relay according to the present invention can be integrally included with a panel board of dual in-line connectors wherein such relay is adapted for rapidly switching relatively high power circuits. Each relay provides a plurality of contacts, and in manufacture of the relay a selection of contact configurations is realizable between pin connection lugs, making the relay quite versatile in cooperating with various integrated circuit arrangements.

The present relay is an electromechanical relay, rather than a reed relay or combination of reed relays as more commonly used in integrated circuit applications, and provides greater mechanical force for the switching of greater power in a given space. Thus, greater force is applied to the cantilever reed contacts of the present relay by means of the relays solenoid than would be possible in a reed relay, and greater continued force is applied to the contacts in their closed or operated condition. A high break force of 120 grams is achieved in the illustrated miniaturized configuration. Likewise, greater biasing force may be utilized for the relay contacts in their self-biased or normal condition. Consequently, more current can be carried by these contacts. Also, solenoid travel is comparatively short, providing an electromechanical relay which is rapid in operation. However, the contact ends can be spaced farther than in the case of conventional reed relay contacts, making possible higher voltage operation.

The construction of the present relay is quite economical and employs few parts compared with the usual electromechanical relay, with a large proportion of the components being plastic. Also, the relay is extremely compact and has a very low profile as compared with the construction of the usual electromechanical relay.

While I have shown and described a preferred ernbodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention in its broader aspects. I therefore intend the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

l claim:

l. A miniature relay comprising:

a flat header formed of insulating material provided with a pair of parallel raised guides and two rows of connecting pins extending through said guides and including lugs along the top surface of the guides,

an actuator slide received between said guides for guided longitudinal movement therebetween upon said header,

a plurality of fixed and movable contacts, a said movable contact comprising a reed secured to one of said lugs and extending across said header for making electrical connection with a selected fixed contact mounted on the opposite side of the header,

said actuator slide having upstanding posts narrower than said slide and defining slots therebetween for receiving said movable contact for causing operation thereof with longitudinal movement of said actuator slide,

and a motor assembly mounted on said header, said motor assembly comprising a solenoid at an end of said actuator slide provided with a plunger substantially aligned with and attached to said actuator slide for causing said longitudinal movement thereof.

2. A miniature relay comprising:

a dual in-line plug adapted to be received by a mating integrated circuit socket, said plug comprising a substantially flat header formed of insulating material provided with a pair of spaced parallel bosses and two rows of connecting pins adapted to be received by a mating socket and molded into said header with each row extending through one of said pair of parallel bosses for providing connecting lugs along the top surface of said header,

an actuator slide received between said pair of bosses for guided longitudinal movement therebetween upon said header,

a plurality of fixed and movable contacts mounted upon ones of said lugs, a said movable contact comprising a reed extending across said header from a lug in one of said rows and adapted for making electrical connection with a selected fixed contact mounted upon a lug in the remaining row,

said actuator slide having slots for receiving said movable contact for causing operation thereof with longitudinal movement of said actuator slide,

and a motor assembly mounted on said header, said motor assembly comprising a solenoid at an end of said actuator slide provided with a plunger substantially aligned with and attached to said actuator slide for causing said longitudinal movement thereof.

3. The relay according to claim 2 wherein said actuator slide is substantially T-shaped in transverse cross section having a slide base substantially parallel to said header for movement therealong, and an upstanding narrower central rib provided with the slots for receiving said movable contacts.

4. The relay according to claim 3 wherein said central rib comprises plural upstanding posts supported from said slide base and defining said slots therebetween.

5. The relay according to claim 3 wherein said slide base is provided with a pair of parallel runners extending downwardly at side edges thereof for contacting said header in sliding relation.

6. The relay according to claim 2 wherein the side of said slots engaging said movable contacts engage said contacts over a limited area of tangency in horizontal cross section near the center of said movable contacts.

7. The relay according to claim 2 wherein the end of said plunger has a U-shaped retaining member secured thereto and said slide is provided with an aperture for receiving the same.

8. The relay according to claim 7 wherein said solenoid and said plunger received therewithin have mating transverse cross sections preventing rotation of one with respect to the other and for deterring rotation of said actuator slide with respect to saidl header. I

9. The relay according to claim 8 wherein said transverse cross sections are substantially square.

10. The relay according to claim 2 wherein said solenoid is provided with a core comprising a pole having a square cross section extending partway through the solenoid coil, a U-shaped pole end structure joined to said pole at one end of said solenoid coil, and s square apertured link closing the U-shaped pole end structure at the opposite end of the solenoid coil by extending across the open end of the U with the aperture thereof aligned with said pole, said aperture receiving said plunger therethrough in close spaced surrounding relation to the cross section of said plunger, wherein said plunger is square in cross section.

ll. The relay according to claim 10 wherein parallel side legs of said U-shaped pole end structure are secured between lugs proximate an end of said header.

l2. The relay according to claim 10 wherein said solenoid is provided with a coil bobbin having a coil mounted thereupon and having a square cross section central passage receiving said pole and receiving said plunger at the opposite end thereof, said bobbin having an extension passing through said link for providing a bearing surface for said plunger.

13. A motor means for a relay, said motor means comprising:

- a solenoid provided with a plunger which is substan tially square in cross section for longitudinal reception therewithin adapted for actuating contacts of said relay,

said solenoid having a core comprising a pole which is substantially square in cross section extending partway through the solenoid coil,

a U-shaped pole end structure joined to said pole at one end of said solenoid coil,

and an apertured link closing the U-shaped pole end structure at the opposite end of the solenoid coil by extending across the open end of the U with the aperture thereof aligned with said pole, the aperture insaid link extending through said link and comprising a passage of substantially square cross section surroundingly receiving the substantially square cross section of said plunger in close spaced relation, enabling movement of said plunger toward said pole without substantial rotation of said plunger.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said solenoid is provided with a bobbin having a central ap erture therewithin for receiving said pole and said plunger, said aperture providing the bearing surface for longitudinal movement of said plunger.

l5. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said bobbin extends through the aperture in said link.

`16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said pole is swedged into said U-shaped pole end structure.

v l :k

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. .3 828 ,'ZBMw n Dated August 6 1974 Inventor(s) James B. Bain It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that saidv Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM IDO-1050 (1D-69) USCOMM-DC 603764369 u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: |969 o-sss-aaa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE u CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. v3 f 828 28gV` Dated August 6 1974 Inventor(s) James B. Bain It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as show-n below:

Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attet:

MccoY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL .DANN

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 603764569 u,s, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE |969 0-366-5134A 

1. A miniature relay comprising: a flat header formed of insulating material provided with a pair of parallel raised guides and two rows of connecting pins extending through said guides and including lugs along the top surface of the guides, an actuator slide received between said guides for guided longitudinal movement therebetween upon said header, a plurality of fixed and movable contacts, a said movable contact comprising a reed secured to one of said lugs and extending across said header for making electrical connection with a selected fixed contact mounted on the opposite side of the header, said actuator slide having upstanding posts narrower than said slide and defining slots therebetween for receiving said movable contact for causing operation thereof with longitudinal movement of said actuator slide, and a motor assembly mounted on said header, said motor assembly comprising a solenoid at an end of said actuator slide provided with a plunger substantially aligned with and attached to said actuator slide for causing said longitudinal movement thereof.
 2. A miniature relay comprising: a dual in-line plug adapted to be received by a mating integrated circuit socket, said plug comprising a substantially flat header formed of insulating material provided with a pair of spaced parallel bosses and two rows of connecting pins adapted to be received by a mating socket and molded into said header with each row extending through one of said pair of parallel bosses for providing connecting lugs along the top surface of said header, an actuator slide received between said pair of bosses for guided longitudinal movement therebetween upon said header, a plurality of fixed and movable contacts mounted upon ones of said lugs, a said movable contact comprising a reed extending across said header from a lug in one of said rows and adapted for making electrical connection with a selected fixed contact mounted upon a lug in the remaining row, said actuator slide having slots for receiving said movable contact for causing operation thereof with longitudinal movement of said actuator slide, and a motor assembly mounted on said header, said motor assembly comprising a solenoid at an end of said actuator slide provided with a plunger substantially aligned with and attached to said actuator slide for causing said longitudinal movement thereof.
 3. The relay according to claim 2 wherein said actuator slide is substantially T-shaped in transverse cross section having a slide base substantially parallel to said header for movement therealong, and an upstanding narrower central rib provided with the slots for receiving said movable contacts.
 4. The relay according to claim 3 wherein said central rib comprises plural upstanding posts supported from said slide base and defining said slots therebetween.
 5. The relay according to claim 3 wherein said slide base is provided with a pair of parallel runners extending downwardly at side edges thereof for contacting said header in sliding relation.
 6. The relay according to claim 2 wherein the side of said slots engaging said movable contacts engage said contacts over a limited area of tangency in horizontal cross section near the center of said movable contacts.
 7. The relay according to claim 2 wherein the end of said plunger has a U-shaped retaining member secured thereto and said slide is provided with an aperture for receiving the same.
 8. The relay according to claim 7 wherein said solenoid and said plunger received therewithin have mating transverse cross sections preventing rotation of one with respect to the other and for deterring rotation of said actuator slide with respect to said header.
 9. The relay according to claim 8 wherein said transverSe cross sections are substantially square.
 10. The relay according to claim 2 wherein said solenoid is provided with a core comprising a pole having a square cross section extending partway through the solenoid coil, a U-shaped pole end structure joined to said pole at one end of said solenoid coil, and s square apertured link closing the U-shaped pole end structure at the opposite end of the solenoid coil by extending across the open end of the U with the aperture thereof aligned with said pole, said aperture receiving said plunger therethrough in close spaced surrounding relation to the cross section of said plunger, wherein said plunger is square in cross section.
 11. The relay according to claim 10 wherein parallel side legs of said U-shaped pole end structure are secured between lugs proximate an end of said header.
 12. The relay according to claim 10 wherein said solenoid is provided with a coil bobbin having a coil mounted thereupon and having a square cross section central passage receiving said pole and receiving said plunger at the opposite end thereof, said bobbin having an extension passing through said link for providing a bearing surface for said plunger.
 13. A motor means for a relay, said motor means comprising: a solenoid provided with a plunger which is substantially square in cross section for longitudinal reception therewithin adapted for actuating contacts of said relay, said solenoid having a core comprising a pole which is substantially square in cross section extending partway through the solenoid coil, a U-shaped pole end structure joined to said pole at one end of said solenoid coil, and an apertured link closing the U-shaped pole end structure at the opposite end of the solenoid coil by extending across the open end of the U with the aperture thereof aligned with said pole, the aperture in said link extending through said link and comprising a passage of substantially square cross section surroundingly receiving the substantially square cross section of said plunger in close spaced relation, enabling movement of said plunger toward said pole without substantial rotation of said plunger.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said solenoid is provided with a bobbin having a central aperture therewithin for receiving said pole and said plunger, said aperture providing the bearing surface for longitudinal movement of said plunger.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said bobbin extends through the aperture in said link.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said pole is swedged into said U-shaped pole end structure. 